Self-care and prevention are the primary and most important parts of health care. The famous Chinese doctor Sun Simiao taught in the early 7th century that if you wait until your patient is already ill to treat them, it is too late and you have done a poor job as a physician. It is the responsibility of a physician to treat their patients before they become ill. With this mandate in mind and heart, it is my wish to help my patients take care of themselves and avoid sickness that might otherwise be preventable.
Here is some simple and practical advice from Chinese medicine to prevent illness in winter:
First, if you are scheduled for an appointment in the office or are in the area, stop by and help yourself to a cup of Chinese herbal tea. I formulate it specifically for the current seasonal node and weather pattern, along with the related illnesses and symptoms I see in the office each week. The tea is in the pot in the back of the office. A dose is one half of the cups that are on the counter. Come by as often as you like.
Try to drink warm liquids and teas, and avoid cold ones. Even cold water from the refrigerator can predispose the body to cold invasion this time of year. Similarly, try to minimize consuming cold and raw foods such as ice cream, salad, and fruit. Warm cooked foods, soups and stews will help to strengthen your system and prevent illness. Along with this, warming herbs such as cinnamon and ginger can be helpful. Late season and root vegetables such as carrots, squash and potatoes are also strengthening during the cold weather.
People are typically busy this time of year. Be aware of running around and getting overheated, and then going out into the cold. It only takes a moment of cold exposure to get sick. Avoid going outside with wet hair and wet skin, such as after bath, shower and swimming. Keep your head and neck covered to prevent wind and cold injury. Running and heavy exercise outdoors in cold weather is not recommended in Chinese medicine, particularly if one is sweating.
It is also important to minimize exposure to others who may be sick. Holiday gatherings, airplanes, birthday parties, stores, gyms and yoga classes can all be places to be exposed to illness that can be spread through the air as well as through surface contact. While Chinese medicine does not speak of germs per se, there is understanding of pathogenic factors that affect many people at the same time.
Extra rest and sleep are important in winter.
Finally, if you become ill, acupuncture and herbs can help. Chinese medicine is effective at treating symptoms of acute illness that occur in winter. Ask for help if you need it.